Rangers fanatic counts his blessings with Hotline confession about man he loves who remains out of Celtic's grasp

Many Scottish club sides have returned for pre-season and some have even started their pre-season action.

But, for a dedicated band of regular Hotliners, the club game never shuts down – the goings on at Celtic, Rangers and the rest is a 24/7, 365 days operation. And Sunday services do not exist for those with big opinions to get off their chests. First up on the agenda was a host of Celtic fans starting to struggle with the notion of being patient on the signing front.

David Bryce, Troon, said: "Celtic have known for months now that Joe Hart was retiring yet still no replacement has been sourced! The recruitment at the club is an absolute disgrace but the common denominator at the club re the lack of ambition is that Peter Lawwell remains as chairman! Whilst he holds a position of power at the club, we will continue to be European also rans. Huge changes are needed and the most important one is the resignation of the chairman."

And that was echoed by another Celtic fan. Fraser Davison, Glasgow, said: "It is like a repeat of last year so far from the Celtic board regarding new quality first team ready players. Perhaps they think with Euros going on the fans have forgotten about what's going on in the east end?

"Rangers seem to be going about their business regardless of events elsewhere although they operate in a slightly different transfer market than the champions look to do. Money is there so hope the board are ready to splash the cash and not do the same as last year and trot out excuses about lack of players available, wrong fit at club, wages, etc etc, it's all the tired excuses we hear year on year."

Meanwhile, another fan was sick and tired over the negative jibes aimed at Connor Barron. Andrew Lamb, Fraserburgh, writes: "I was disappointed with Joe Harper's comments regarding Connor Barron's decision to join Rangers on a 4 year deal. Joe is simply trying to endear himself to some of the Rangers haters at Pittodrie, and frankly, his comments were quite insulting to both Rangers and Connor Barron. Joe, yesterday's news."

Tom Paterson, Falkirk, offered a solution to Rangers in their bid to find temporary digs amid the ongoing Ibrox maintenance palaver. He said: "I have a simple answer for Gers in their quest for a new pitch to play on - just nip down the M77 about 20 miles or so and speak nicely to Killie - I'm sure we'd be happy to help out - and we know how the Gers just LOVE playing on our plastic pitch !!. Job done and everyone happy all around."

Jim Richmond said: "I have been lucky enough to have managed to watch most of the games, the pundits range from the England are brilliant to they are a disgrace, David Moyes has really impressed me and obviously knows the game and never gets carried away, as a Rangers fan I am so happy that Celtic never lured him up here."

One fan had the calculator out and we think he might not be factoring in the extra coefficient and boosted TV deals when playing down the moolah on offer in the shiny Champions League revamp. Cameron Hall, Edinburgh , said: "Just to be clear, there is no £60 million Champions’ League bounty for Celtic or Rangers. Unless either of them win five games and qualify for the last 16 - which, given they won one game between them in their last 12 Champions’ League games, is statistically extremely unlikely - they will earn at best half that. And that’s assuming Rangers even qualify in the first place. Essentially it’s about as likely as Bovril making a comeback on matchday menus. Something I would prefer, to be honest."

Finally, Scotland's hard luck stories over the years aren't consigned to football, of course, and here is another tale of woe which sounds so familiar. Scott Gowers, Edinburgh, said: "And Scotland must be the unluckiest nation in major championships, we all know the close but no cigar in football scenarios. Let's look at the T20 cricket world cup, Afghanistan 64 for none against Australia after 10 overs going on to post a total of 148 after 20 yet still won the game. Scotland posted a total of 90 for none after 10 overs against England then rain stopped play and Scotland's fantastic score left England more than an uphill struggle yet all Scotland got was a draw without a super over which most draws lead to. I'd definitely prefer a super over with two batters in fine form than two stepping to the crease without facing a ball.

"Having 90 for none to count for nothing and denying Scotland makes me believe the system needs an overhaul as had this counted to Scotland's net run rate then Scotland would have qualified. I understand the rain wasn't England's fault but Scotland's runs were earned legitimately and the rain discounted them, not Scotland's fault either. Totally unfair not to be counted within the net run rate."